10 Actors Who Turned Down Doctor Who

You mean Han Solo could have also been the Doctor?

[Jayk]

Benedict Cumberbatch didn’t want to be the face of merchandise? Well good thing he didn’t join the MCU then

[asvarien]

First woman ever? What about Joanna Lumley? It may not be cannon but it was certainly hillarious.

[foxybrowng]

I think Rowen Atkinson (Mr. Bean) would be a great Doctor! He’s quirky, comical, and could be intense if needed.

[marijeangalloway]

Also on that Red Nose special was another Grant: Richard E. Grant. In my opinion, he would have been ----still would be! in the role. He has that slightly mad quirkiness (check out the roles he's played) that would make a terrific Doctor. You can see a glimpse of what his Docter would be in his brief onscreen appearance in that special. He would be such an inspired choice; haven't they ever asked him?

[patchworkfellow]

_“The_ late _Peter Cushing...”_
*No no no, it’s not just “late”, it’s “late, and very GREAT”*

[jeremyhire]

No no no it's not Brian Blessed, it's BRIAN BLESSED!!!

[davidhersh]

Can you imagine Christopher Loyd
From back to future
Playing the role of doctor who

[antonmassopust]

The craziest story I've ever heard was that a Paramount Pictures wanted to make Doctor Who in the movie and they were considering Michael Jackson or Bill Cosby

[michaeloxley]

I think the rumour that Brian Blessed was considered for the role was started by Brian - although it's widely quoted I think it's dubious. Valentine Dyall, the actor who went on to play the Black Guardian, was approached to play the first Doctor's successor, as was Michael Horden. Graham Crowden & Michael Bentine turned down the role of the 4th Doctor. Andrew Sachs turned down the role of the 7th Doctor. Peter Capaldi was invited to audition for the 1996 TV movie, but declined.

[daveofyorkshire]

They've got a real problem now, no established actor is going to risk being the doctor when the franchise died, and new actors whilst hungry for a role might worry a failed franchise so early in their career could kill it.

[danielbridger]

my dream doctor who doctor is kenneth branagh. ive always thought he would be perfect for the role ever since harry potter and the chamber of secrets. he can be a smiling goof one minute, next he is pointing his wand (as would be his sonic screwdriver) with a very serious look on his face indeed. kind of like troughton or mccoy

[anniemaull]

I still believe Tom Ellis would fit the Doctor like a glove. He plays Lucifer but that Show is sadly ending soon and Tom Ellis would be a great Doctor.

[organfairy]

Maybe they couldn't get Sherlock to play the Doctor. But how about Watson? I think Martin Freeman could be a fine Doctor and he has some experience in the field: He played the main character Arthur Dent in the movie adaptation of "Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy".

[jimbear]

Brian Blessed wanted The Doctor to be Chinese?
They would had to have changed the title to "Doctor Hu"

[samwitherington]

I feel this list has been done before. Anyone else feel this?

[DavidFraser]

Ron Moody would have been fantastic. Tom Baker is still my number 1 Doctor, but I am a huge fan of Matt Smith.

[hystari]

I kind of want Bill Nighy for the 14th doctor kind of how they did with the 12th and tbh I’m just gonna imagine Johanna lumley is the 13th doctor cannot or not and if I’m not mistaken I’m pretty sure she was the 13th incarnation in the red nose special with rowan playing the ninth grant playing the 10th slug horn was 11, Hugh was 12

[DonnaLangrockglobally]

Maybe Tom Hanks will have the opportunity to guest star in Doctor Who in the future... for example, he could play Samuel Langhorne Clemens (better known as Mark Twain), who ironically was not only the author of the unlikely science fiction novel "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" but also a close friend of Nikola Tesla. (Tesla has already been portrayed in a Jodie Whittaker era episode, so maybe it's time to introduce the Doctor to Tesla's friend Sam.)

[georgiavost]

It would be interesting to do a list of actors who auditioned to be the Doctor but who weren't successful.
I am only saying this because I read that Anthony Head (or Anthony Stuart Head) auditioned for the part of the TV movies (8th Dcotor) - of course he is known for his whole on Buffy and Merlin

[Discrimination_is_not_a_right]

I can imagine Harrison Ford laughing at the idea outright.